According to MINDEF, he, “was carrying out repair works inside the Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer (SSPH) with two other SAF personnel on 19 January 2019 at Waiouru Training Area, New Zealand. Unfortunately, CFC Pang sustained injuries when the gun barrel was lowered.”

The 28-year-old actor leaves behind his parents, and two older brothers.

An Independent Committee of Inquiry will be launched to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy.

But the question that most Singaporean parents are asking is, “How can we send our sons to NS in peace?”

Aloysius Pang’s death has been particularly heart-breaking, because Singaporeans have seen him growing up. He started acting at the age of nine, appearing in children’s shows like A Child’s Hope and I Love My Home.

Parents are understandably worried, and have been venting their anxiety on social media.

“Is this the price to pay for serving the NS”?” “Another unnecessary death. When will this stop?” PHOTO: SCREENGRAB CHANNEL NEWSASIA COMMENTS

Pang was known to be a family man and a mama’s boy. He once told MeRadio, “I know that my mum has been through a lot. My goal now is to protect her after she has protected me for so long.”

PHOTO: FACEBOOK/ ALOYSIUS

He called his mum and dad his emotional pillars, “I lie down in between my mum and my dad on the bed and talk about everything every night after work. I would tell them if I have someone I like. They are my emotional pillars so I would tell them anything.”

He also had plans of starting a family…

In a heartbreaking revelation, Singapore actress Jayley Woo Jia Qi has revealed that she and Pang were dating. They had planned to make their relationship public after they got married…

PHOTO: FACEBOOK / JAYLEY WOO

“I’m not lucky enough to be your wife in this life. We must definitely get married in the next. I love you, I really love you…”

“Thank you for all your care these past few years. I will always love you; please have a good journey ahead…Come visit me in my dreams, understand?”, wrote Jayley.

So many of his dreams remain unfulfilled. “I want to write songs, direct, have my own business, publish a book of poetry, write my own drama script and a movie. There are a lot of things I want to accomplish,” he had once said.

“I’m not a person who is looking for fame or luxury.”

Singapore has lost a son. Our prayers go out to Aloysius Pang’s family and loved ones.